New York based interdisciplinary design studio Rockwell Group has completed the interiors of the new 160-guestroom Kimpton Tokyo, situated in the dynamic Shinjuku area of the city. For the design of the hotel’s guestrooms, dining and amenities spaces, Rockwell Group has masterfully merged eclectic styles and patterns with materials that echo the trendy locale of the hotel and woven throughout the spaces are layers of fabric, art, and furniture that explore Tokyo’s relationship to both its past and future.
As guests enter the first-floor cafe, a neon “oh TOKYO” sign recalls the signature glowing lights of the Shinjuku district. During the day, the cafe is a place for locals to stop in and grab a snack, coffee, or drink, and meet up with friends around an eclectic mix of lounge chairs and cafe tables, while the oversized sofas afford a space for people to work on their laptops. In the evening the glowing full height bar display with custom industrial lighting anchors the casual bar scene for hotel guests and locals alike.
As visitors step off the second-floor elevator, they are immediately immersed in a contemporary brasserie area. This multi-level space with a show kitchen provides a dynamic dining experience as chefs prepare meals that celebrate local ingredients and culinary traditions. Walls in rich blue plaster have aged brass detailing, while a picture rail highlights custom wall sconces and a curated collection of local artworks. Rich detailing includes leather wrapped handrails, wood-on-wood inlay tabletops, and striking banquettes, which feature two-tone leather upholstery.
The guestrooms’ design was inspired by the Japanese concept of “Okaeri,” which means “welcome home.” The rooms evoke a calm and restorative feeling for guests who have been exploring the dynamic Tokyo. Rockwell Group conceived a natural and neutral palette with playful surprises that make guests feel at home with a subtle metal floral inlay on the Japanese charred wood headboard – a modern twist on Japan’s long tradition of Ikebana flower arrangements. To complete the room is a striped fabric sofa, inspired by the orderly chaos of Tokyo’s pedestrian crossings, including the iconic Shibuya crossing.
Kimpton Tokyo also features a functioning Chapel on the 16th floor, with three-dimensional textured wood panels and Diana royal marble flooring. Adjacent to the chapel is a pre-function space (pictured above) that doubles as a lifestyle lounge for guests to enjoy the dramatic views over the city.
Found up on the 17th floor, the Rooftop Ballroom and Bar features industrial blackened steel structural elements that frame the space and support a pyramid skylight, while dark glazed bricks are reminiscent of a NYC loft space. Concrete and wood intermingle in the space to create the illusion of a skyline, while the cocktail bar is designed as a jewel box of brass, purple, and copper hues, fronted by elegant bar stools, which create an exclusive and luxurious speakeasy feel.
Photography by: Yoshihiro Makino
